5 September Events You Don’t Want to Miss

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The weather is cooling down, and there are many fun events in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Decatur to help you welcome fall!

Sloss Furnace Fest

Furnace fest 2021 will be held at Sloss Furnace in Downtown Birmingham on September 24-26. You can buy tickets here: www.freshtix.com/events/furnacefest.

Night Blooms at the Huntsville Botanical Garden

Night Blooms will lead you on a one-mile walking journey through the Garden in the evening. As you make your way through the Garden, you will discover vignettes of botanical lanterns integrated into the natural surroundings. Intricately designed and handmade by trained artisans, these lanterns bring plants and wildlife to life, reimagining the living things of the Garden as illuminated, technicolor, and larger than life. From poppies and orchids to turtles and spiders, Night Blooms will show you just how extraordinary a walk through the Garden can be. Through September 26.

Peak Butterfly Season in the Purdy Butterfly House

The Purdy Butterfly House is a must-see in May through September! Peak Butterfly Season is the best time of year to visit the fluttering butterflies in the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. This immersive habitat is home to over 1,000 brightly-colored native butterflies, as well as turtles, fish, and frogs. Come meet our winged friends while enjoying a stroll among the waterfalls, ponds, streams, and lush vegetation. The Purdy Butterfly House is open during regular Garden hours and is included with Garden admission. Through September 30.

Drones: Is the Sky the Limit? at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Developed by subject experts from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, Drones: Is The Sky The Limit? explores the modern phenomenon of drones, their uses throughout history and the exciting possibilities of the future role that drones will play in our society.

Over the last 75 years, drones have evolved from remote-controlled planes used for target practice into versatile and highly specialized aircraft. As these aircraft fill the skies, they raise concerns about airspace, privacy and ethics in modern warfare. But these concerns are eclipsed by excitement for their potential: someday drones will explore Mars, serve as pilotless flying taxis, and deliver packages and groceries to our front doors.

Drones: Is The Sky The Limit? features real drones, in-depth label paneling and rich audio-visual content. The exhibition also includes a drone racing video interactive and provides a birds-eye view of the aeronautics, engineering, science, technologies and innovations of one of the most intriguing topics dominating our current culture.

Concerts by the River at Rhodes Ferry Park in Decatur

Concerts by the River will be September 13, 20, & 27 at Rhodes Ferry Park (Hwy 20 at Oak St) unless otherwise noted. All concerts are FREE and will begin at 6pm. There will be food trucks, so don’t forget to bring your chairs or blankets. Weather info, cancellations, or venue moves will be posted, or you can call (256) 341-4818.

Birmingham Restaurant Week 2021

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AUGUST 12-29, 2021

Over 60 locally-owned Birmingham-area restaurants, food trucks and bars to participate

Sponsored by EXCURSIONS Hotel Guestbooks

HOW IT WORKS

Birmingham Restaurant Week, normally a 10-day event, has added additional days to make this an 18-day celebration of our beloved city’s flavorful food and beverage scene! These Second Helpings help to maximize sales for area businesses to offset losses from COVID-19. Patrons now have the opportunity to bring BRW home to their table by choosing from new To-Go and Curbside Pick-Up Options.

BRW is not a one-night event, and there are no tickets to dine during BRW. All you have to do to taste the benefits is visit local restaurants, bars and food trucks, whether ordering To-Go, Curbside Pickup, Delivery or Dining In (with restaurants’ new safety precautions) and enjoy chef and bartender-curated menus and special prices.

Here’s how it works – participating restaurants, food trucks and bars across the entire Birmingham-metro area and its surrounding neighborhoods will offer special breakfast, lunch and dinner menus at set price points from $5 to $50 per person. We will list these participating businesses and their menus on our website for you to scour and plan your culinary plan of attack.

Whether you’re revisiting your favorite restaurants or bars or experiencing new ones, we’ve made it easy for food and drink lovers to savor the flavors of Birmingham and celebrate the landmark eateries that have elevated Birmingham’s culinary scene to national stardom! Just grab family and friends and order To-Go meals, Curbside Pickup or Dine-In with restaurants’ new safety precautions, including socially distanced seating, disposable items, mask requirements and more. Ask your server for the BRW menu if you don’t already have one, and after that, all you have to do is dig in and enjoy!

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS & BARS

Organizers expect more than 60 Birmingham and surrounding area restaurants, food trucks, bars and coffee shops to participate in BRW 2021 and to join in on Birmingham’s renowned food and beverage promotional blitz. Those registered include:

5 Point Public House Oyster Bar, Ash Homewood, Ashley Mac’s- Pizitz, Aww Shucks, Avondale Burger Co., Avondale Common House, Bar Sebastian, Bar Unplugged, Bayleaf Modern Indian Cuisine, Basil Pizza & Bar, Bistro 218, Blueroot – Downtown, Cahaba Brewing Company, Craft’s on Church Street, Crestline Bagel Co. – Cahaba Heights, Crestline Bagel Co. – Downtown, Crestline Bagel Co. – Mountain Brook, Davenport’s Pizza Palace, Dread River Distilling Company, Dreamland BBQ, El Zun Zun, Eugene’s Hot Chicken – Hoover, Evelyn’s Southern Fare, Farrelly’s Southern Bar and Kitchen, Filter Coffee Parlor, Good Health Raw Vegan Soul Food Cafe and Juice Bar, La Tía Paisa Taco Shop, Lob House Seafood & Steak, McFly’s Bird Shoppe, Meals by Misty – Trussville, Meals by Misty – Homewood, Michael’s Restaurant, Ocean, Ovenbird, Pappas’ Grill, Porky’s Pride Smokehouse, Rojo, Rolls., Roots & Revelry, Rusty’s Bar-B-Q, Sabor Latino, Shiki, Slice Pizza & Brewhouse – Vestavia, Slice Pizza & Brewhouse – Lakeview, Sol Y Luna, Spring Street Bar and Grill, Steel Gastropub, Taj India, The Backyard Market, The Fig Tree, The Gardens by Kathy G., The Hive, The Yard Birmingham at Elyton Hotel, Tortugas Homemade Pizza, Tuff Love Provisions, Umami, Underground Vegan, Vino & Gallery Bar and Watkins Branch Bourbon & Brasserie.

REVIEW PARTICIPANTS AND MENUS

Helpful search tools are provided on the BRW website home page and on the Eat/Drink page, where users can search participating restaurants and view their BRW menus by location, meal, price point, service or other desired option to aid in planning their culinary plan of attack for BRW. Menus will be posted Aug. 9.

WINE-O-LOGY EVENT AUG 18

BRW 2021 will also include a Wine-O-logy event brought back from previous years, along with other supporting events. Wine-O-logy, a wine flight tasting event with fantastic food and live entertainment, will be held Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Vino & Gallery Bar in English Village. Event attendees will have the opportunity to explore their palette for new wine favorites provided by United-Johnson Brothers while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by Sysco Foods. Wine-O-logy tickets are $30 per person and $50 per couple. A limited number of walk-up tickets can be purchased at the event for $35 each. Tickets and additional event information can be found at bhamrestaurantweek.com/events/.

LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT?

Because of this, a key component of this year’s BRW is to connect individuals seeking employment in the culinary industry with BRW participating restaurants that are looking to hire. Area job seekers may submit a Culinary Job Recruitment Application found at www.bhamrestaurantweek.com/jobs, which is a simple form that asks for contact information, availability, experience, desired position(s), etc., along with the option to upload a resume. Once the form has been submitted, BRW will pass this information along to BRW participating businesses who are hiring, who can then reach out to individuals. In addition to the application, job seekers may also view a database of BRW businesses who are hiring along with what positions they are hiring for and how individuals may apply directly to that restaurant. BRW’s goal is to help people find jobs while getting Birmingham’s locally-owned restaurants staffed. With the promotion of it in all BRW marketing channels, BRW hopes this will provide a one-stop-shop for interested candidates in the restaurant industry to find jobs and to fill a need for restaurants that aren’t able to actively market openings and communicate them to the public.

In addition to Spire, gracious sponsors include Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Red Diamond Coffee & Tea, Sysco Foods, Birmingham Budweiser, Coca-Cola United, United-Johnson Brothers, Birmingham City Council, Amplify Marketing Solutions, Complete Janitorial Services, Strategic Tax & Accounting and EXCURSIONS Hotel Guestbooks by CityVision. BRW media sponsors include Fox 6 WBRC, Birmingham Mountain Radio and Bham Now.

#BRW2021 #EXCURSIONSGO #INBIRMINGHAM

The Best Thing to Happen This Winter in Birmingham

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Birmingham Restaurant Week (BRW) organizers are pleased to announce the dates for BRW 2021 – Winter Edition presented by Spire. Happening Thursday, Jan. 14 through Sunday, Jan. 31, the 18-day Winter Edition seeks to further support the restaurant and bar industries during a time when it is more crucial than ever. https://bhamrestaurantweek.com

This event will boast to-go and curbside pickup options as well as the traditional, but limited, dine-in options, as health precautions are still being mandated. With aims to keep guests warm, fed and safe and to allow for al fresco dining no matter the weather, many restaurants are making special accommodations to safely serve diners during the winter by offering outdoor high-powered heaters, cabana tents and “igloos” to expand upon outdoor and patio seating.

From fine dining to down-home cookin’, food and drink lovers with a taste for adventure can enjoy special two and three-course breakfast, lunch and/or dinner prix-fixe menus ranging from $5 to $50 per person – making it easy and affordable for everyone to enjoy a taste of Birmingham’s diverse dishes and sips. BRW 2021 – Winter Edition aims to keep bellies full, restaurants cooking and jobs safe. BRW is more than eating and drinking, it is about supporting local restaurants and giving people an opportunity to enjoy the South’s most vibrant culinary destination by offering incentives for patrons to revisit their favorite restaurants, bars and food trucks or to experience new ones.

“Spire is once again excited to partner with Birmingham Restaurant Week in supporting our local restaurants,” says Joe Hampton, president of Spire Alabama, Gulf Coast and Mississippi. “As we enter into the winter months, these local restaurants need our support more than ever. With plenty of curbside and to-go options available, this winter’s event will be a great example of how we can continue to move forward and get through this – together.”

“This has been an incredible experience, and I am so thrilled we joined up this year,” said Viscaino. “Our sales have been incredible, and I could barely keep our cheesecake stocked! I made more cheesecake in the two weeks of BRW 2020 than I did all summer! We appreciate the continued support, and I am really looking forward to next year’s event.”

Organizers are excited to announce the official list of BRW 2021 – Winter Edition participants: 5 Point Public House, Ash, Ashley Mac’s at The Pizitz, Avondale Burger Co., Basil Pizza & Bar, Bay Leaf Modern Indian Cuisine & Bar, Birmingham Candy Company at The Pizitz, Blueroot, Bobby Carl’s Table, Carrigan’s (Downtown), Classic Wine Co., Crestline Bagel Co. (Mountain Brook, Cahaba Heights & Downtown), Dreamland Bar-B-Que (Southside), Edolyn’s Pies at The Pizitz, El ZunZun, Eli’s Jerusalem Grill at The Pizitz, Farrelly’s Southern Bar and Kitchen, Filter Coffee Parlor, J Wings at The Pizitz, JuicedUp Essentials at The Pizitz, Kamali Creole Kitchen, La Tía Paisa Taco Shop, Lou’s Pub & Package Store, Michael’s Restaurant, Piper & Leaf Tea Co. at The Pizitz, Porky’s Pride Smokehouse, Ocean, Ono Poke at The Pizitz, Ovenbird, Pho Pho Vietnamese at The Pizitz, Rojo, Roots & Revelry, Sabor Latino, Silver Kati at The Pizitz, Slice Pizza and Brewhouse (Lakeview & Vestavia), Sol y Luna Restaurant, Spring Street Bar & Grill, Taj India, The Fig Tree,, The Louis Bar at The Pizitz, The Lumbar, The Standard at The Pizitz, The Woed Experience Food Truck, The Yard, Tortugas Pizza – Birmingham, Tostadas, Tropicaleo, Unos Tacos at The Pizitz, and Vino & Gallery Bar.

With almost 60 participants, BRW 2020 had a whole new recipe with the new to-go and curbside pickup options. Only locally owned businesses were allowed to participate, as nearly 65 percent of the revenue from local independent restaurants recirculates in the local economy (compared to about 30 percent for chain restaurants). Other new additions included family-style meal options, cocktail kits and to-go alcohol, which were easily some of the biggest successes of this summer’s event. Traditional dine-in was still an option for some restaurants and bars; however, socially-distanced tables, capacity limits and mask requirements were mandated to ensure safety for guests and employees. For the first time, BRW extended the normal 10-day event to 18, offering more days for patrons to partake and more opportunity for incoming sales for participating businesses.

Giving back to the community has always been an essential component for BRW with more than $75,000 raised for local nonprofits in its 11 years of existence. After BRW 2020, organizers donated $2,500 to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama (CFBCA) to help aid in its mission to end hunger tomorrow. The CFBCA feeds over 80,000 people at risk of hunger per month and supplies food to 250 food banks, shelters and children’s programs in 12 counties in Central Alabama.

“Right now donations are very important from the community because we’ve almost doubled the amount of food that is going out into the 12-county Central Alabama region this year,” said CEO of CFBCA, Brett Meredith. “We have gone from about 1.1 million pounds a month to roughly 2.2 million pounds a month right now, so that makes such a difference.”

BRW could not be possible without the generous support from sponsors, including Spire, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Birmingham Bud, Red Diamond, Fox 6 WBRC, Coca-Cola, Birmingham Mountain Radio, Bham Now, The Birmingham Times, The Pizitz Food Hall and EXCURSIONS by CityVision.

For more information about BRW and the Winter Edition, visit www.bhamrestaurantweek.com. BRW is active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and can be found @bhamrestweek. The official event hashtag is #BhamRestWeek.

ABOUT BIRMINGHAM RESTAURANT WEEK

Established in 2010, BRW is an 18-day culinary affair where local restaurants offer incentives for patrons to revisit their favorite restaurants or to experience new ones, celebrating the landmark eateries that helped make Birmingham’s food scene what it is today. BRW gives chefs the opportunity to showcase how they’re feeding the city—from creating nationally-acclaimed dishes that feature locally-sourced ingredients to mentoring the next generation of culinary entrepreneurs. BRW is organized by Birmingham advertising agency Style Advertising and James Little. This event is proudly co-sponsored by CityVision and EXCURSIONSgo.com.

#brw2021 #bhamrestweek #inbirmingham #excursionsgo #supportlocal #eattheham

EXCURSIONSgo.com Sponsors Sidewalk Film Festival 2020! AUG 24-30! Tickets going fast!

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All the info and links you need to experience the Festival!

Locating the Drive-In

The Grand River Drive-In address is 1451 Grand River Pkwy, Leeds, AL 35094.
• From I-20 traveling east or west, Take Exit 140.
• From I-65 or I-59: Take 459 to I-20 Atlanta, On 459, exit to I-20 Atlanta and take Exit 140.
• At Exit 140, turn left at the exit onto Hwy-78 and cross under the bridge to reach the entrance of the venue.
• Turn right on Grand River Parkway and follow it until it dead ends, and the drive-in is on the right.

Click here for Google Directions

Festival Map

The Grand River Drive-In offers 4 drive-in screens, a concession stand and grill, an off-leash dog park for the furry friends, a playground for the kiddos, a mini-golf course, and yard games. There will be four traffic lanes to enter the venue, and you will be directed to your screen by our staff.

Gates will open tentatively at 6:30 pm each day. If you purchase tickets to two screenings at different screens, once the first film ends you will be able to navigate your vehicle to the next screen. If you happen to purchase tickets to two films at the same screen, you don’t need to move your car – you can just stay where you are parked after the first screening.

Each screen has a different capacity, the smallest being 78 cars and the largest being 177 cars! The lots at the Grand River drive-in are staged so that any car of any size can park anywhere and can get a clear view of the screen. This means that parking your vehicle will be easier than it was if you attended any of our pop-up drive-ins at The Summit. We do ask that if you plan to leave a screening early to park at the back so as not to disrupt other patrons.

What to Bring

• Everyone should bring an open mind and an adventurous spirit!
• A mask or cloth that covers your nose and mouth. Masks will be required any time you are outside your vehicle and when interacting with Sidewalk staff or volunteers from inside your vehicle
• Since this is a drive-in festival, you may want to consider the following items: camp chairs (we have limited-edition Sidewalk chairs for sale!), blankets, comfortable shoes (much of the venue is not paved), and a debit/credit card (some points of sale will be cashless due to COVID-19).
Please don’t bring: Outside food or drink, Bad attitudes, Weapons of any kind, Drugs

Audio + Car Etiquette

The speed limit within the venue is 5 mph. Once you arrive, our volunteers will provide you with the radio frequency for your screen. If your radio does not work unless your car is running or you plan to sit outside of your vehicle, we suggest you consider bringing a portable FM radio.

After parking, we ask that you ensure that your headlights are not on to create a better viewing experience for those around you.

Food + Drink

Since you’re unable to bring in outside food and drinks, concessions will be handled by the Grand River Drive-In. Their snack shack offers everything from the classic popcorn, candy, and nachos to a grill with burgers and hotdogs! They also offer a full bar so grab a beer and a burger and enjoy the film!

Click here to view the menu

Audience Choice Balloting

We are moving our audience ballot process to a digital format. You will have information on the pass you receive upon entering the festival to access the digital ballot for the screening you are attending. Simply submit your vote and follow up at the end of the festival to see if your favorites win!

Did we answer all of your questions?

If not, reach out! Email us at tickets@sidewalkfest.com or call our box office line at 205-413-3794.

Help us spread the word!

Sidewalk needs your help to get the word out about this year’s festival on social media! It helps even more if you can personalize your posts by talking about a film you are particularly excited to see, but really anything helps! Here are a few captions you can copy and paste to share on the platform of your choice and an image you can use:

FACEBOOK: I’m going to the #sidewalkdrivein this August 24-30! Join me and check out some new independent films and some beloved classics, all from your car! Check out the online schedule here: sidewalkfest.com/schedule

TWITTER: I’m going to @sidewalkfilm ‘s #sidewalkdrivein 8/24-30. Check out the online schedule here: sidewalkfest/com/schedule

INSTAGRAM: @sidewalkfilm is hosting a drive-in film festival! Join me at the #sidewalkdrivein August 24-30. You can find the full schedule at sidewalkfest.com/schedule

EXCURSIONS Proudly Sponsors Birmingham Restaurant Week Aug. 14-31, 2020

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SPIRE PRESENTS BIRMINGHAM RESTAURANT WEEK AUG. 14 – 31, 2020 WITH EXTENDED DATES AND TO-GO & CURBSIDE OPTIONS

Birmingham’s premier dining out event adds bars, food trucks and eight extra days of Second Helpings to maximize restaurant sales

The 11^th annual Birmingham Restaurant Week (BRW) presented by Spire will be held Friday, Aug. 14 through Monday, Aug. 31, 2020 with 18 days of dining out deals. Normally a 10-day event, this year’s BRW provides an additional eight days of Second Helpings to maximize sales for area businesses due to COVID-19 and to allow patrons more opportunity to support participating businesses. Birmingham’s Premier Culinary and Beverage event features a new recipe this year with an emphasis on new Curbside, To-Go and Delivery options available from participating restaurants, bars and food trucks.

Established in 2010, the annual event celebrates the city’s burgeoning culinary reputation, demonstrating to locals, the region and the world why Birmingham is the South’s most vibrant culinary destination by offering incentives for patrons to revisit their favorite restaurants, bars and food trucks or to experience new ones. From fine dining to down-home cookin’, food and drink lovers with a taste for adventure can enjoy special lunch or dinner 2 and 3-course, prix-fixe menus ranging from $5 to $50 per person – making it easy and affordable for everyone to enjoy a taste of Birmingham’s diverse dishes. BRW is inviting locally owned bars and food trucks to participate this year as well.

New for this year, patrons have the opportunity to bring BRW home to their table and enjoy with family and friends by choosing from new To-Go and Curbside Pick-Up options, as well as Delivery, if available from the restaurant. The traditional Dine-In option for BRW will be available but limited for businesses and with safety precautions, such as socially distanced seating, disposable table items, mask requirements and more. Family-Style Meals, To-Go Cocktails and Cocktail Kits have been included by many participating BRW businesses.

“Birmingham Restaurant Week is going to be huge for the restaurant industry this year,” said Zebbie Carney, owner of Eugene’s Hot Chicken. “I believe that the restaurant industry has taken a bigger hit than most industries with the influx of customers. Even if people are just ordering to-go or buying gift cards during BRW, it will tremendously help restaurants!”

Nothing about 2020 is business as usual. And yet, BRW feels the weight of importance in supporting local restaurants which represent both small businesses and the food which defines our culture. In fact, in the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, it was local restaurants that rapidly implemented curbside and delivery plans in order to keep Birmingham fed.

“This year, it’s more important than ever to support our local restaurants among all they’ve faced as a result of the pandemic,” says Bill Stoeffhaas, co-founder of Birmingham Restaurant Week and partner at Style Advertising. “Each restaurant has created their own unique way of moving forward during this challenging time, and this year’s BRW provides an opportunity to spotlight that and provide them with the community support and promotion they deserve.”

Only locally owned and operated businesses will be allowed to participate this year, as BRW has decided to be hyper local and support the local community. Participation is welcomed from local establishments throughout metro Birmingham, including the City of Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Homewood, Hoover, Trussville and other neighboring cities.

“Spire is excited to work with BRW in supporting our local restaurants during this difficult time and highlight our mutual commitment to the health and safety of our communities. This year’s BRW is a great example of how we can begin to move forward and get through this – together,” says Joe Hampton, President of Spire Alabama.

“All of the hardworking and dedicated individuals who are the heartbeat of the culinary talent in our city have suffered the brunt of this crisis, and it’s up to us to support and promote them during this time,” says James Little, co-founder of BRW and owner of Filter Coffee Parlor. “We’re asking everyone to take advantage of this year’s BRW more than ever by ordering to-go or curbside pickup meals, purchasing family packs and cocktail kits and enjoying all that the restaurants and bars are bringing to the table this year.”

In spring 2019, BRW organizers surveyed diners and found the following:

86% of those diners want to expand their palate. Diners intentionally sample new restaurants during BRW and 71% cite that as the primary reason they value BRW.
98% of diners want another helping and return to new restaurants they have tried AFTER Restaurant Week has ended.

Throughout 10 years of BRW, more than 1.2 million BRW menus have been sold, raising over $24.5 million in gross receipt sales and generating more than $2.2 million in sales tax for local cities. In 2019, an estimated 108,000 meals were served, generating more than $2.1 million in total gross revenue to participating restaurants. BRW has also raised more than $75,000 for local nonprofits, which is a goal of BRW to continue doing this year. Planning is underway for Winter Restaurant Week which will take place Jan. 22 – 31, 2021.

BRW is active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and can be found @bhamrestweek. The official event hashtag is #BhamRestWeek. The BRW “Free Food Friday” contest is taking place again, allowing fans to win gift certificates to a BRW-participating restaurant each Friday.

Restaurants, bars and food trucks can sign up for BRW on the “Business Sign-Up” tab at www.bhamrestaurantweek.comor click here. The deadline is July 24, 2020. Those wishing to sponsor the yummiest event in town can do so by emailing info@bhamrestaurantweek.com for more information. All other details can be found at www.bhamrestaurantweek.com.

In addition to Spire, gracious sponsors include Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Clyde May’s, Birmingham Budweiser, Red Diamond, Fox 6 WBRC, Coca-Cola, Birmingham Mountain Radio, Bham Now and EXCURSIONSGO.com.

Our Top Picks for Celebrating National Margarita Day this Saturday, February 22nd!

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EXCURSIONS Guestbooks recommends these popular locations in Birmingham, Madison and Huntsville, Alabama as the best spots to celebrate National Margarita Day this Saturday, February 22nd. Please let them know that we sent you in their direction and enjoy!

Enjoy a variety of margaritas and delicious, authentic Mexican dishes at Margarona’s Cantina

Margaronas Cantina in Homewood, Alabama

Visit Margaronas Cantina in Homewood, Alabama. Serving traditional and authentic Mexican dishes, Margaronas Cantina has quickly become a stand-out among locals. The modern atmosphere pays tribute to Mexico with a heightened level of comfort and sophistication. Enjoy dining inside or out on the covered patio. The full bar offers the finest tequilas and all of your other favorite spirits. The owners and staff will greet you at the door and ensure your experience is the very best in Birmingham.

Baja California Cantina in Hoover, Alabama

With outstanding reviews and consistently high praise from customers, Baja California Cantina and Grill in Hoover should be on the top of your list for the best Tex-Mex cuisine, delicious drinks with your favorite spirits
and impeccable service. All of their margaritas are made with fresh-squeezed lime juice.

Baja California Cantina and Grill is open seven days a week and conveniently located to all hotels in the Hoover,
Vestavia Hills and Bessemer areas. Catch live music performances by following them on Facebook.

Buenavista Mexican Cantina in Madison, Alabama

Buenavista Mexican Cantina has been a family-owned local restaurant chain and happily serving the North Alabama area for over 25 years. They started making our authentic bend of Mexican food in Scottsboro, Alabama. Now they have locations in Hampton Cove and Madison, Alabama.

Buenavista Mexican Cantinas oﬀer a very friendly and family atmosphere at each of their locations. They want everyone to feel like family as soon as they walk in the door.

At Buenavista Mexican Cantina, their belief is that good food is ﬁnding that perfect balance between the way something looks and how it tastes. Their menus oﬀers traditional Mexican fares like fajitas, burritos, quesadillas along with Buenavista specialties like Mexican Lasagna made with your choice of chicken or steak, and Cocktel De Camaron, which is Buenavista’s take on shrimp cocktail.

Buenavista Mexican Cantinas have plenty of space both inside and out for your special event or corporate meeting. On-site catering is available from each of their locations.

Be sure to stop in during Happy Hour each from 3 until 6 p.m. Buenavista Mexican Cantinas oﬀer daily specials: Mondays are Kids Eat Free, Taco Tuesdays and Trivia night, and Margaritas Thursdays!

Rosie’s Mexican Cantina in Huntsville, Alabama

Named the “Best Mexican Restaurant in Huntsville,” Rosie’s Cantina is a fun and festive atmosphere for casual family dining. Serving honest, handmade Tex-Mex favorites, as well as innovative house specialties, Rosie’s atmosphere, is filled with unique works of art, antiques from Old Mexico and upbeat music.

Enjoy lunch or dinner indoors or out year-round or relax fountain-side beneath beautiful Mexican architecture. A full-service bar features Rosie’s famous Margarita Menu, an extensive collection of Mexican beers, tequilas, select wines, and martinis. Our Mambo Taxi is legendary!

Locally owned and operated since 1995, Rosie’s is a Huntsville tradition. Join us and experience “Flavors Fantasticos!”

#excursionsgo #margaritas #visithuntsvilleal #ihearthsv #inbirmingham #visitmadisonal #mexican #dining

Huge Announcement from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville!

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Huntsville, Ala. – The Von Braun Center (VBC) revealed the names, logos, and event lineup for the new music hall and restaurant in downtown Huntsville during a presentation inside the Propst Arena on the evening of Tuesday, October 29.

In a video presentation, updated renderings from the architectural firm, Matheny Goldmon, previewed Rhythm on Monroe – a full-service restaurant and rooftop bar. Rhythm, aptly named for the different types of musical performances hosted at the VBC on the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street, will serve locally-sourced ingredients and provide fresh urban fare. It will feature craft brews, a curated wine list, and handmade cocktails that guests will be able to enjoy while sitting near fire pits at the rooftop bar overlooking Big Spring Park. Watch video

“Rhythm will be the perfect spot for a pre-show dinner, after-show cocktails, or just a great dining spot without attending an event,” remarked Von Braun Center Executive Director Steve Maples. “The expansive open views on the rooftop bar will be a great place to watch the sun set over Downtown Huntsville!”

Rhythm on Monroe will open early 2020. Additional details and a new website are coming soon.

Changing the landscape of the music scene in Huntsville, the VBC’s newest venue Mars Music Hall will provide an open floor plan, with a balcony overlooking an oversized stage. With a 1,575-person capacity – this intimate setting will offer great acoustics for a variety of events ranging from concerts to comedy acts and everything in between.

“This is an exciting time, not only for the Von Braun Center but for the Tennessee Valley region,” continued Maples. “The City of Huntsville is developing at a rapid pace and is constantly attracting out-of-market visitors and enhancing the quality of life for local residents. Adding this size and type of music venue to the heart of the city is an important step in continuing that growth, and we could not have made this happen without the support of Mayor Tommy Battle and the City of Huntsville.”

Setting the tone for a strong lineup of acts, Jason Isbell will make Von Braun Center history by being the first performer on the Mars Music Hall stage on Friday, January 3, 2020. Also on queue for Mars are Black Jacket Symphony, Tig Notaro, Chris Janson, Graham Nash, Jo Dee Messina and many others. To see the full lineup of announced performances and to learn about purchasing tickets, visit marsmusichall.com.

The addition of these two new venues at the VBC is part of an ongoing expansion project, approved by the Huntsville City Council in June 2017, which will ultimately include a new ballroom and multi-purpose space; renovation of the existing North Hall; the addition of breakout meeting spaces and more. The groundbreaking for the music hall and restaurant took place on August 15, 2018.

About the Von Braun Center
The Von Braun Center is a multi-purpose facility located in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. The VBC offers multiple venues for presenting cultural, educational, entertainment, sporting and social events. With over 170,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the VBC is able to accommodate events of all sizes.

INITIAL LIST OF CONFIRMED SHOWS
January 3         Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
January 4         The Black Jacket Symphony Presents: Nirvana and Pearljam
January 17       Riley Green
January 23       Billy Strings
January 24       Machine Head
January 25       Corey Smith
January 26       An Evening with C.S. Lewis Starring David Payne
January 31       JJ Grey & Mofro
February 1       Tig Notaro
February 8       Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute
February 25     Queensrÿche with John 5 and Eve to Adam
February 28     Chris Janson
March 13        The Molly Ringwalds
March 15         Chippendales
March 25         An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash
March 28         Jo Dee Messina
April 14           Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers
April 26           Yacht Rock Revue
May 16            Kathleen Madigan

Experience the Flavors of Italy in Decatur, Alabama

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Francesco’s Italian Restaurant serves up authentic Italian dishes with southern charm and flare.

Known locally as “Home of the Pinwheels,” Francesco’s Italian Restaurant boasts an extensive menu filled with homemade, authentic Italian recipes. Chef Roy Frias has showed a passion to achieve the authentic Italian flavor in every dish. His sister, Lucy Frias, is the friendly face you will encounter when visiting this family-owned restaurant.

Their food has been popular to regular customers from all of North Alabama surrounding areas, like Cullman, Huntsville, Madison, and of course locals from Decatur.

They have been awarded the Certificate of Excellence by Tripadvisor 2014-2016.

A Few Items from the Menu

Combo Appetizer (mozzarella sticks, fried mushrooms and fried calamari)
Homemade Pasta Dishes: Ziti Campagnoli, Fettuccine Alla Primavera, Tortellini Bolognese
Steaks and Seafood: Ribeye Marsala, Steak Italiano, Shrimp Ravioli, Salmon Picata, Linguine with Clams (red or white wine sauce), Shrimp Diavolo
Desserts: Tiramisu, Cannoli, Italian Lemon Cream Cake

And so much more!

Open for Lunch and Dinner:
Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 10 pm
Sundays 10 am – 9 pm; Closed Mondays

Francesco’s Italian Restaurant
2613 Hwy 31 South, AL 35603
256.584.6773
francescositalianrestaurant.org

See their mobile profile at EXCURSIONSGO.com

#excursionsgo #italianfood #visitnorthal #visitdecatural

Spring Arrives and This Huntsville Patio Heats Up

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Spring arrives and the patio at Vintage Cigar Lounge heats up in Huntsville, Alabama.

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Vintage Cigar Lounge is Bridge Street Town Centre’s hottest spot!

This Bridge Street Town Centre hot spot has been a local favorite since 2008. With over 2,500 different cigars to choose from, Vintage Cigar Lounge boasts a state-of-the-art walk-in humidor with knowledgeable Tobacconists on site to guide customers to new and exciting heights. With an immense collection of pipes and tobacco accessories to choose from, this is also a one stop shop for the tobacco lover in your life. Whether you are just stopping in to purchase cigars or planning to stay for a drink, there is a place for you at Vintage Cigar Lounge.

Find Your Favorite Cigars

Choose your favorite cigars from the climate-controlled humidor. — Choose your favorite cigars from the walk-in climate-controlled humidor.

Relax in the Private Lounge

The private two-story lounge provides comfortable seating and televisions.

One of the distinguishing features of this establishment is a private two-story lounge with televisions and plush seating throughout. This is where members enjoy a full service experience which can be accessed by guests for a modest fee. Smoking is far from the only indulgence to be had here. The bar’s award-winning cocktail program is the finest display of mixology Huntsville has to offer. This is also the place to be for any whiskey connoisseur, with over 150 different bourbons, scotch and rare finds to select from.

Enjoy Ample Seating Indoors or Out

The bar's award winning cocktail program is the finest display of mixology Huntsville has to offer. — The bar’s award winning cocktail program is the finest display of mixology Huntsville has to offer.

The outdoor seating is a comfortable place to gather and people-watch. With its’ well-executed concept, passionate staff and world-class offerings, this brilliantly appointed business is a true gem of both the bar and retail scenes of Huntsville. Open seven days a week, Vintage Cigar Lounge is ready to host you for any occasion whether it be a date night, business meeting or private event. Come indulge in the best!

www.vintage-cigarlounge.com

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest promotions.

#excursionsgo #indulgeinthebest #littlehavanainalabama #visitnorthal #visithuntsvilleal #ihearthsv

“The Wild” Chinese Lantern Festival Will Light up the Night in Huntsville

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Thousands of Handcrafted Lanterns Create Beautiful Displays of Color and Light

Wednesday – Sunday, March 20, 2019 – May 19, 2019

For the first time, Huntsville Botanical Garden and PNC Bank will co-host “The Wild” a Hanart Culture Chinese Lantern Festival, a fully immersive multicultural experience showcasing more than 1,000 lanterns, live entertainment, and authentic Chinese crafts for the entire family to enjoy. Debuting March 20, 2019, Hanart Culture will present a stunning display of handcrafted lights and wildlife that will transform more than 112 acres at Huntsville Botanical Garden into a magical landscape of glowing animals from around the world.

“Through intricate craftsmanship, interactive workshops and live-art performances, Hanart Culture and Huntsville Botanical Gardens have created a truly unforgettable opportunity for visitors to explore China’s rich and dynamic arts culture,” said Nick Willis, PNC regional president, Greater Alabama. “This is one of the largest exhibits of [Zigong] Chinese lantern art in the country and through engaging events like this, PNC helps bring authentic, global experiences into the communities we serve.”

“The Wild,” showcases larger- than- life lanterns, ranging in size from 12 to 23 feet tall, representing wild life from America, Oceania, Asia, Antarctica and Africa. Cheetahs, jellyfish, lions, panda bears, majestic cranes, and even dinosaurs from the five different regions will create a visually stunning display of art, tradition, and culture for garden visitors to explore during the nine-week exhibition. Not only will these displays be magical in the moonlight, but also enchanting in the sunlight, making this festival enjoyable any time of the day.

In addition to the spectacular lanterns, the festival will feature food, live Kung Fu shows and demonstrations, and shadow play. Guests can also explore and shop in the craft marketplace where authentic Chinese jewelry, artifacts, dough figurines, as well as Chinese embroidery art, sugar art, paper-cut and fabric art will be available for purchase.

Huntsville Botanical Garden will also offer an assortment of educational programs and exhibitions for all ages to enhance “The Wild” experience and to honor the Chinese culture. Guests can select from an eclectic variety of daytime educational programs such as Feng Shui designs, Tai Chi, the art of shadow puppetry, DIY Chinese lanterns, Chinese water color, and more. Additional exhibits include four ceramic elephants made of 3,200 kitchen utensils such as dishes, bowls, spoons and wine cups will also be on display.

“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to partner with PNC and share this unique festival with ourcommunity” said Paula Steigerwald, president and CEO of Huntsville Botanical Garden. “It not only offers an

occasion for people to see all that the Garden has to offer, but also encourages our guests, volunteers, and staff to learn about and celebrate a different culture.”

The Lantern Festival is one of China’s most traditional celebrations with the art of Chinese lantern making dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.). Today, these lanterns are made of modern materials and technology with brilliantly lit colored LED lightbulbs, musical enhancements and sound effects, and visual moving parts to create larger-than-life imaginative shapes.

“These gorgeous lanterns have evolved through the centuries, from when they were used for lighting, to an art form all their own. Chinese lanterns are a cherished part of festivals and celebrations world-wide and we are proud to bring the Hanart Culture Chinese Lantern Festival to Huntsville, Alabama” said George Zhao, president of Hanart Culture.

Produced by Hanart Culture and presented by PNC Bank, the Chinese Lantern Festival will open every Wednesday-Sunday from 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., through May 19th. Advanced tickets must be purchased and are available online at www.hsvbg.org/lanterns for $15 – $25. Garden members receive an additional $5 off each ticket purchase.

For more photos please use this link: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmu4VG17

About PNC Bank

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

Huntsville Botanical Garden

Huntsville Botanical Garden, located at 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville, AL, is open year-round and features the nation’slargest open-air butterfly house, a picture-perfect aquatic garden, spectacular nature trails, numerous specialty gardens – including an interactive children’s garden – and a variety of plant collections. This beautiful 112-acre Garden is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization run by only 35 employees and over 2600 active volunteers. With five distinct festivals each year; Beaks and Barks, Huntsville Blooms, Summer Butterfly House, Fall Scarecrow Trail and Holiday Galaxy of Lights, you’ll soon see why we say there’sAlways Something Growing On at Huntsville Botanical Garden!

About Hanart Culture

Hanart Culture is a producer/management agent of live theatrical entertainment. They exclusively represent performing artists and attractions, and arrange touring throughout North America. Hanart Culture handles different aspects of performance solicitation, negotiation and contracting engagements, as well as post-booking services (i.e. supplying press, photos, etc.) to make every performance a success. “Han” is the largest nationality of China; “Art” stands for a variety of art styles, including Kung Fu, Acrobatics etc.